According to the current governmental regulations, all diesel buses will be replaced in the United States and the European market within the next ten years. There are over 60,000 buses in the United States and each year over 3,000 new buses of approximately 40 feet in length are purchased. The bus market has a growth rate of four to five percent per year over the last two years. The improvements in technology offered by United States companies prove unsatisfactory in terms of bus performance and the emissions of new buses. The energy crisis in the United States and concern over the health hazards of the diesel fuel exhaust gases and particulates, alternative fuel vehicles are in great demand in the transit market world wide.

Thesis (MScEng (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis comprises of the testing and evaluation of a modern diesel engine running on both biodiesel and mineral diesel on the upgraded Bio-fuels Testing Facility (BTF) at Stellenbosch University. The project was motivated by the need to install a modern diesel engine onto the existing BTF test rig for biodiesel testing. In this project, the BTF was re-designed to support a new Volkswagen 1.9L TDI engine. The capabilities of the BTF were then expanded further by the implementation of a low-cost pressure indicating system, utilising an optical pressure transducer. During the testing of biodiesel, it was found that the calorific value of the biodiesel was 14% lower than that of the tested mineral diesel. The ignition quality (cetane index) of the biodiesel was also lower than that of the mineral diesel. Even so, the engine only experienced a maximum power loss of 4.2%. During heat-release analysis, it was determined that there was no significant difference in the combustion process of biodiesel and that of mineral diesel. The conclusion could be made that biodiesel is suitable for use in modern TDI engines. Testing validated the operation of the upgraded test cell, and in trials it was determined that the test results are highly repeatable. The pressure indicating set proved to have some limitations. Only simplified heat-release analyses and reasonable indicated power calculations could be performed with the indicating set. Recommendations were made for improvement in future research. / Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Public Administration

Mobile source emissions are a major contributor to global and local air pollution. Governments and regulatory agencies have been increasing the stringency of regulations in the transportation sector for the last ten years to help curb transportation sector air pollution. The need for regulations has been emphasized by scientific research on the impacts from ambient pollution, especially research on the effect of particulate matter on human health. The particulate emissions from diesel vehicles, diesel particulate matter (DPM) is considered a known or probable carcinogen in various countries and increased exposure to DPM is linked to increased cardiovascular health problems in humans. The toxicity of vehicle emissions and diesel particulate emissions in particular, in conjunction with an increased awareness of potential petroleum fuel shortages, international conflict over petroleum fuel sources and climate change science, have all contributed to the increase of biodiesel use as an additive to or replacement for petroleum fuel. The goal of this research is to determine how this increased use of biodiesel in the particular emission testing setup impacts urban air quality. To determine if biodiesel use contributes to a health or climate benefit, both the size range and general composition were investigated using a comprehensive comparison of the particulate component of the emissions in real time. The emissions from various biodiesel and diesel mixtures from a common diesel passenger vehicle were measured with a cavity ring-down transmissometer (CRDT) coupled with a condensation particle counter, a SMPS, a nephelometer, NOx, CO, CO2, and O3 measurements. From these data, key emission factors for several biodiesel and diesel fuel mixtures were developed. This approach reduces sampling artifacts and allows for the determination of optical properties, particle number concentration, and size distributions, along with several important gas phase species' concentrations. Findings indicate that biodiesel additions to diesel fuel do not necessarily have an air quality benefit for particulate emissions in this emission testing scenario. The often cited linear decrease in particulate emissions with increasing biodiesel content was not observed. Mixtures with half diesel and half biodiesel tended to have the highest particulate emissions in all size ranges. Mixtures with more than 50% biodiesel had slightly lower calculated mass for light absorbing carbon, but this reduction in mass is most likely a result of a shift in the size of the emission particles to a smaller size range, not a reduction in the total number of particles. Evaluation of the extensive optical properties from this experimental set-up indicates that biodiesel additions to diesel fuel has an impact on emission particle extinction in both visible and near-IR wavelengths. The B99 mixture had the smallest emission factor for extinction at 532 nm and at 1064 nm. For the extinction at 532 nm, the trend was not linear and the emission factor peaked at the B50 mixture. Results from intensive properties indicate that emissions from B5 and B25 mixtures have Ångström exponents close to 1, typical for black carbon emissions. The mixtures with a larger fraction of biodiesel have Ångström exponent values closer to 2, indicating more absorbing organic matter and/or smaller particle size in the emissions. Additional experimental testing should be completed to determine the application of these results and emission factors to other diesel vehicles or types of diesel and biodiesel fuel mixtures.

The performance of a combined vapor-compression cycle/ORC is evaluated using waste-heat from a diesel generator. A flat plate microchannel heat exchanger is employed to provide energy exchange between the diesel exhaust stream and an oil loop, which provides energy to a boiler. This study finds an increased diesel duty corresponds with an increased cooling capacity, for a maximum of 5 kW of cooling (with 13.5 kWe diesel load). System COP is reduced with a higher input power due to limitations in the cooling cycle. A number of solutions are identified to increase the COP and cooling capacity. A new microchannel heat exchanger to recovery heat is designed to increase performance compared to the previous version. / Graduation date: 2012

In 2009, Cobb County School District (CCSD) and Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) received a competitive federal grant to implement an idle and tailpipe emission reduction program in the CCSD bus fleet. The project is designed to reduce school bus idling by installing GPS and idle detection systems in the bus, providing bus dispatchers with a web system to track vehicle activity and idling in real-time, and to automatically shut off the engine when idle thresholds at specific locations are exceeded. A team of Georgia Tech researchers is implementing the anti-idle program and estimating the emissions and fuel savings from the project using approved modeling methods. This thesis presents the results of the emission modeling process, as well as an analysis of baseline school bus idling activity. EPA's MOVES mobile source emission model was used to develop emission rates for school buses for each operating mode, which are defined by the instantaneous vehicle speed, acceleration and scaled tractive power. Local data for Cobb County and Atlanta were collected and input into the MOVES model. The pollutants modeled include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter (coarse and fine), oxides of nitrogen, and gaseous hydrocarbons. The vehicle activity data collected through the GPS and communications equipment installed in the buses were classified into the operating mode bins for each second of recorded data, and multiplied by the corresponding emission rate to determine the total modal emissions before and after project implementation. Preliminary results suggest that thousands of gallons of diesel fuel and thousands of dollars can be saved with the project, improving overall fleet fuel efficiency by 2%, as well as reducing emissions in some categories by as much as 38%.

D. Tech. Mechanical Engineering. / Discusses how to reduce the negative impacts of petroleum oil based fuels in reciprocating engines on the environment through the use of oxygenated (alcohol) blends, while not deteriorating engine performance. The specific objectives are as follows: To evaluate the performance characteristics of n-butanol-diesel blends: B5, B10 and B20, in a direct-injection turbo-charged diesel engine and to compare findings with a study that was carried out by others (Sayin, 2010). To compare the performance, combustion and emission characteristics of dual alcohol-gasoline with single alcohol-gasoline blends fired in a naturally-aspirated (NA) spark ignition (SI) engine. To compare the combustion and emission characteristics of dual alcohol (methanol-n-butanol-gasoline) blends with single alcohol (methanol-gasoline) blends in a single-cylinder SI engine. To evaluate the combustion and regulated emission characteristics of DF and n-butanol/diesel blends (B5, B10, and B20 where B5 represents 5 % shared volume of n-butanol to 95 % diesel fuel) fired in a high load turbo-charged diesel engine and to compare the findings with a study that was conducted by Raslavicius & Bazaras, (2010).

Com a tendência de regulamentações cada vez mais restritas para emissão de gases poluentes em veículos automotores, a utilização de sistemas de pós-tratamento dos gases de exaustão tem se intensificado. Um dos sistemas utilizados para redução dos níveis de emissão de NOx é o sistema de recirculação de gases de exaustão (EGR). Porém, o uso do EGR provoca uma alta formação de material particulado (fuligem), onde parte é direcionada para a câmera de combustão, contaminando o lubrificante e intensificando os mecanismos de desgaste. Vários estudos têm sido desenvolvidos para compreender estes efeitos e, embora se verifique um consenso nos resultados mais recentes, ainda existem várias hipóteses contraditórias e inconclusivas. Para avaliar a influência da contaminação por fuligem, uma bancada experimental foi desenvolvida e um motor diesel com taxas de 0%, 20%, 35% e 45% de EGR foi ensaiado. Verificações da influência do EGR nas características do motor, análises de óleo, verificações na variação de massa e nas dimensões dos anéis e camisa do motor e análises de rugosidade das superfícies em contato foram realizadas. Para observar os mecanismos de desgaste atuantes e a formação de filmes antidesgaste, utilizou-se o MEV/EDS. Através dos resultados, verificou-se que o aumento da taxa de recirculação aumenta a formação de fuligem e, que o aumento da temperatura dos gases recirculados, aumenta significativamente a concentração de fuligem no lubrificante. Foram observados mecanismos abrasivos nas superfícies em contato e a condição com a maior concentração de fuligem apresentou também indícios de desgaste por deslizamento. Ao longo dos ensaios, através da análise do lubrificante, observou-se certa influência da fuligem no consumo de metais de adição relacionados aos aditivos antidesgaste. Ademais, por meio das análises de EDS, baixas concentrações de elementos característicos de aditivos antidesgaste foram encontradas ao longo da superfície de contato, suportando assim a hipótese da influência das partículas de fuligem na formação de filmes antidesgaste. Como recomendações para trabalhos futuros, sugere-se a avaliação do efeito competitivo entre as partículas de fuligem e os aditivos na formação de filmes na superfície. / With the increasing trend of stricter regulations related to engine vehicle emissions, the usage of after-treatment systems for the exhaust gases has been intensified. One of the systems used in order to reduce the NOx emission levels is the exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR). However, the EGR usage causes a high formation of particulate matter (soot), which is partly directed to the combustion camera, leading to lubricant contamination and intensifying the wear mechanisms. Several studies have been developed to understand these effects and, although there is a consensus on the most recent results, there are still several contradictory and inconclusive results. To evaluate the influence of soot contamination, a test bench was developed and a diesel engine with EGR rates of 0%, 20%, 35% and 45% was tested. Evaluation of EGR influence on the engine characteristics, oil analysis, weight loss, dimensional changes of the piston rings and the cylinder liner and the roughness of the contact surfaces were evaluated. To observe the wear mechanisms and the formation of anti-wear films, SEM / EDS was used. From the results obtained, it could be seen that increasing the exhaust gas recirculation rate the formation of soot also increases. Additionally, it was found that the temperature increase of the recirculation gases significantly increased the concentration of soot in the lubricant. It was also found several indications of abrasive wear on the contact surfaces and, sliding wear was also observed for the test condition with the highest concentration of soot in the lubricant. Oil analysis, indicated a certain soot influence in the consumption of anti- wear additives along the tests. In addition, EDS analysis showed a small concentration of elements related to anti-wear films along the contact surface, thus supporting the hypothesis of soot particles influencing the formation of anti-wear films. As a recommendation for future work, it is suggested to evaluate the competitive effect between soot particles and additives in the formation of films on the surface.

Numerous factors have pushed energy from biomass to the forefront of policy and industry discussions. Large harvests of traditional crops, low farm prices, dependence on foreign energy sources, and environmental problems have increased interest in renewable energy sources. Tools are needed to evaluate and compare different available feedstocks and to identify parameters and modifications for the production of renewable fuels such as biodiesel. The first paper examines the development of a biodiesel process model using commonly available spreadsheet software and process-engineering principles. The basis of the model is a continuous process with two stirred-tank reactors and sodium methoxide catalysis. The process is modeled as 27 units with 51 flows and 18 components. Mass flow rates and compositions of the process input and output streams are quantified using mass and component balances, energy balances, stoichiometric relations, and established process parameters. Oil composition and rate, methanol:triglyceride ratio, and expected transesterification of triglyceride are the user-specified inputs in the model. Based on commonly reported parameters (6: 1 methanol:triglyceride ratio and 98% transesterification) and a basis of 100 kg/h crude soybean oil, the model computes inputs of 13.8, 10.8, and 34.7 (in kg/h) for methanol, 10% sodium methoxide in methanol, and process water, respectively; and outputs of 93.5, 10.3, and 55.6 for soy biodiesel, glycerol, and waste stream, respectively. In the second paper, the mass flow rate data from the developed biodiesel process model are linked to cost data for evaluating the economic feasibility of biodiesel production in North Dakota with canola oil as the feedstock. Estimations of capital investment cost and total annual biodiesel product cost are conducted for two canola biodiesel production plants with 5 and 30 million gallons per year (MGY) capacities. These capacities were selected based on North Dakota and neighboring states' biodiesel demands, respectively. Capital investment cost analysis shows the presence of considerable economies of scale for the biodiesel production process for the two capacities. These cost calculations are based on the purchased equipment cost calculated from the equipment specifications. Total annual biodiesel product cost analysis shows that the major portion (>80%) of the total product cost is the raw material cost, similar to the analysis of previous economic feasibility studies. Cost benefits from the economies of scale are still present for the fixed charges, general expenses, and the manufacturing costs (other than the raw material costs) in the annual product cost calculations for the two production plant capacities. Finally, based on the gross profit evaluation for both plants, this study concludes that it is more worthwhile to invest in the 30 MGY production plant because of the greater cost returns from the economies of scale benefits. The results are more encouraging after the incorporation of the federal biodiesel tax incentive and favor the investment for biodiesel production in North Dakota. / North Dakota. Agricultural Experiment Station / USDA-CSREES (under Agreement No. 2003-34471-13523)